Movable wall partition



Oct. 22, 1963 G. F. ANDERSON MOVABLE wALL PARTITION s Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Nov. 3, 1961 INVENTOR. GORDON F ANDERSON BY A PIA 4w CMML ,t

ATTORN EYS Oct. 22, 1963 e. F. ANDERSON 3,107,400

MOVABLE WALL PARTITION Filed Nov. 3. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 5

INVENTOR.

- m GORDON F ANDERSON T BY I (P 7 E m 2.60.1114! 4 M ATIQBNEYS Oct. 22,1963 e. F. ANDERSON MOVABLE WALLPARTITION 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 3,1961 FIG? 8 D v] g w, 4 7.. n v w w FIGI I INVENTOR.

N 0 S R E D N A F N 0 D R 0 G 9 B F United States Patent v 3,107,4illlMQVABLE WALL PTlTlON Gordon F. Anderson, Water-town, Mass, assignor toHugh Stuhhins and Associates, inc, Cambridge, Mass., a corporation ofMassachusetts Filed Nov. 3, 1961, Ser. No. 149,955 6 Claims. (Cl. 2tl4)This invention relates generally to building construction and morespecifically to an improved movable wall partition adapted for use in aroom to vary the size of a classroom or the like.

Various types of shiftable partitions are now known in the buildingindustry, the majority of which require the use of fixed tracks on thefloor and ceiling and also necessitate the removal of furniture,radiators, light fixtures, or the like which are in the path of thepartition during the shifting process. Furthermore, there are a varietyof metal partitions which are secured to structural'supports in a roomand must be disassembled prior to moving and transported to the desirednew location and there reassembled. Since a certain amount of time andmechanical skill is involved in the moving of these heretofore knownpartitions, they have assumed the status of semifixed structures anddefeat the purposes for which they were originally designed. Due to thedifilculties inherent in these structures, a definite need has developedfor a movable wall partition which may be simply and easily shifted tovarious locations within a room without the necessity of taking thepartition completely apart and reassembling it at a new location orrequiring the clearing of a path to allow movement of partition alongfixed tracks.

Since one of the basic problems involved in shiftable wall partitions isthe weight factor due to the necessity of disassembling the panelsmaking up the partition, transporting them to a new location andreassembly, the panels are limited to being constructed of light weightmaterials. The panels are generally bolted together along longitudinalseams and the sealing of the panels to each other and to the side walls,floor and ceiling is usually ineffective and the partition acts simplyas a space divider with the noise from one area filtering through to thesecond area.

Accordinglyy, one object of this invention is to provide a movablepartition which may be simply and easily shifted to various locationswithin a room by unskilled personnel without the use of any tools.

Another object of this invention is to provide a movable partitionwhichis of substantially rigid construction.

A further'object of this invention is to provide a movable partition ofmodular construction which will effectively soundproof individualcompartments from each other.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel, useful andpractical movable partition, whereby problems now present in thecompartmenting of schoolrooms are effectively and simply solved.

in the accomplishment of these and other objects of the invention in apreferred embodiment thereof, a fairly rigid partition having alaterally extending pivot member is supported from transverselyextending tracks in the ceiling by vertical support members so that thepartition may be tilted out of its right angular relationship to thefloor and ceiling to lie co-planar therewith and shifted to a newlocation.

it is one of the features of this invention that a laterally extendingpivot member is spaced from the lower edge of the partition defining ahorizontal axis so that the weight of the partition is distributed onopposite sides of the pivot member during the rotating movement.

Another feature or" this invention is the inclusion of a Bdhldb flexibleand resilient sealing strip around the peripheral edges of the partitionwhich abut with the side walls, ceiling and floor when the partition isin its vertical position to provide a soundproof joint.

Yet another feature of this invention is the construction of foldablewing portions which pivot into co-planar relationship with the partitionprior to the transverse movement of the artition providing clearancebetween the partition and fixed units such as radiators, bookshelves andthe like which are commonly integral with the area adjacent the sidewalls.

Other objects of this invention will, in part be obvious, and will, inpart appear hereinafter.

in the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of the partition erected at onelocation;

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective of the partition with the side wingsfolded back upon a central partition prior to being pivoted on its axis;

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of the movable partition pivoted aboutits a:i

PEG. 4 is a view in front elevation of the wall partition.

FIG. 5 is a view in front elevation of the vertical support members andthe lateral extending pivot member;

FIG. 6 is a view in section taken on line 66of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a View in elevation, partly in section, of the transverselyextending channel members supporting the movable wall partition;

P16. 8 is an end view of the vertical support members;

FIG. 9 is a view in section taken on line 99 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a view in section taken on line ltil0 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 is view in section taken on line 11-11 of PK 4.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a vertical standing wallpartition 14) positioned between the ceiling l2 and the floor 1d of aroom 16 having end walls 18. Extending transversely of the room 16 arepairs of later ally spaced channels Ztl mounted in the ceiling 12 andcomprise an elongated rectangular frame with a closed top surface 22,downwardly depending side walls 2 and a pair of leg portions 26 and 28separated from each other by an opening 3%. The end portions 32 of theleg portions 26 and 2%- are inclined upwardly in the direction of thetop member 22 and spaced from the side walls 24 defining a pair oflaterally spaced channel members 34 and 36 for a purpose to be describedhereinafter.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the structural supporting members for the wall10 include a pair of vertically extending laterally spaced T-bar members40 connected at their lower ends by a laterally extending pivot member42. The details of one of the T-bar members is illustrated in FIG. 8 andincludes a pair of flanges 44 and 46 joined along their medial-lateralsurface by a normally extending third flange 48. The lower end of theflange 48 has an aperture 50 formed therein with the walls 51 acting asa journal for the distal ends of the laterally extending pivot bar 42.As illustrated in FIG. 5, the innermost flange 44 has a shoulder 52spaced from the lower end of the structural support 40, a distanceequivalent to one-half the thicknes of the wall partition 10 andoperates as a stop member to prevent the wall partition from rotatingmore than through a 90 arc. The upper end 54 of the structural support40 has a web 56 extending normal thereto and terminates in the laterallyextending shaft 58-. The ends of the shaft 58 have journals 60 on whichare fitted roller members 62 adapted to ride within the channels 26 and2 8 to allow movement of the structural member 40 relative to thechannel 22.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, there is shown a preferred Patented Get. 22,1963 embodiment of this invention in which the partition is formed ofmodular construction enabling an insulating material such as fibre glassto be assembled with the partitions. The pivot member 42 extends throughthe center of the partition so that it is completely concealed from viewand does not affect the decorative effect of either of the exteriorsurfaces 64 and 66.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wall panel 10 is constructed of acentral portion 68 and wing portions 70 and 72. The wing portions 70 and72 are joined to the central portion 68 by vertically extending thepiano hinges 74 so as to permit the wing portions to be folded back onthe central portion prior to the pivotal movement. As illustrated inFIG. 1 and 5, access means such as a door 76 may be installed in eitherone or both of the wing portions, but for purposes of simplicity it hasbeen shown in the drawings in only one of the wing portions. To insurealignment of the wing portions 70 and 72 with the central portion 68when the wings are laterally extended to define continuations of thecentral portion, a movable pin member 78, shown in FIG. 10, extendsinwardly from the butt edges 80 of the wing portions '70 and 72 intointerlocking engagement with an aperture 82 formed in a portion of theT-bar member 48. Furthermore, it will be seen by referring to FIG. 11that a plate member 83 is secured to the butt edges 80 of each of theside wing members at the distal end thereof and extending normalthereto, which upon extension of the Wing members provides an effectiveand decorative closure to conceal the gap between the central portion 68and the wing members.

To facilitate soundproofing the compartments from each other, theperipheral edges of the movable partition 10 have a resilient flexibleceiling strip 84 secured thereto which will be compressed on contactwith the floor and ceiling. This ceiling strip may be made of rubber orany suitable flexible material such as one of the plastics which are inwidespread use as insulating materials. The wing portions 76 and 72 alsohave a resilient strip 86 which extends around their periphery having aportion 88 adapted to be compressed between the edges of the centralpanel and the butt edge 80 of the Wing members 70 and 72 when the wingsare in the extended position.

Since it is normally desired to have predetermined positions at whichthe partition would be erected, additional structural stop members 89may be provided integral with the ceiling supports which extenddownwardly so as to lies normal to the ceiling 12 and serve to provide adecorative peripheral edge member to eliminate the aperture between theupper edge of the partition and the sealing member. Furthermore, it maybe desirable to pro vide vertically extending members at predeterminedpositions along the side walls which allow the wing members to extendinto abutting relationship therewith and to seal the gap between the endof the wing members and the side walls.

When it is desired to shift the wall partition 10 transversely to a newlocation, the pin member 78 is retracted into the edges of the wingmembers 70 and 72 and the wing members folded back on the hinge 74 so asto lie in co-planar relationship with the central portion 68 asillustrated in FIG. 3, frictional sockets 90 are provided on the centralpanel 68 which cooperate with bulbous headed projections 92 on the wingportions to retain the Wings firmly in contact and to preventdislodgment during the pivotal movement. The entire wall partition isthen pivoted by means of the pivot member 42 on a horizontal axis so asto lie co-planar with the floor and ceiling. In response to pressureapplied to the upper edge which has now become a trailing end portiondue to the change in position, the rollers 62 will travel transverselyin the guides 26 and 28 allowing the entire structure to be shifted to anew location. By simply pivoting the wall partition into an uprightposition at the new location, the sealing members 84 and 86 will abutrespec- 4 tively against the ceiling and floor of the room and the wingportions may be extended as continuations of the central portion 68 andfrictional stop means 94 which are adjacent to the lower edges of thewing portions depressed so as to contact the floor member and preventfurther movement of the wall partition 10.

It will be evident that utilizing this type of a structure, lightingfixtures which are downwardly dependent from the ceiling, radiatorswhich extend inwardly from the side walls, integral bookshelves andfurniture which would normally be an obstacle in the path of an uprightmoving partition can be easily and simply avoided during the shiftingoperation. Similarly, a large variety of materials which have soundproofcharacteristics may be used in the construction of the movable wallpartition which would not be possible with heretofore known panelsbecause of their bulkiness or excessive weight. Decorative panelingwhich would be normally subject to abuse in the assembly and disassemblyof panels may be utilized and fixtures such as blackboards which areattached to the surface of the partition may remain in place during theshifting operation.

Since other obvious modifications may be made in the device withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained herein be interpreted in an illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

I claim:

1. A movable partition comprising: a panel; and means for suspendingsaid panel comprising: a laterally extending pivot member secured tosaid panel; vertically extending support members, and transverselyextending laterally spaced channels positioned in a ceiling with theupper ends of the vertically extending support members normally disposedto and slidably received within said channels and with the free ends ofsaid pivot member secured to the lower ends of said support memberswhereby said panel is rotatable about said pivot member along ahorizontal axis through an arc of substantially to lie coplanar with thefloor and ceiling and be shifted transversely.

2. A movable partition comprising: a panel having a middle portion andside portions hingedly connected to said middle portion; and means forsuspending said panel comprising: a laterally extending pivot membersecured to said middle portion of said panel; vertically extendingsupport members, and transversely extending laterally spaced channelspositioned in a ceiling with the upper ends of the vertically extendingsupport members normally disposed to and slidably received within saidchannels and with the free ends of said pivot member secured to thelower ends of said support members whereby said panel is rotatable aboutsaid pivot member along a horizontal axis through an arc ofsubstantially 90 to lie co-planar with the floor and ceiling and beshifted transversely.

3. A movable partition adapted for vertical positioning between .thefloor and ceiling of a room comprising: a panel having a middle portionand side portions hingedly connected to said middle portion; resilientsealing means secured to the peripheral edges of said panel adapted forabutting relation with the interior surfaces of a room; and means forsuspending said panel comprising: a laterally extending pivot membersecured to said middlle portion of said panel; vertically extendingsupport members, and transversely extending laterally spaced channelspositioned in a ceiling with the upper ends of the vertically extendingsupport members normally disposed to and slidably received within saidchannels and with the free ends of said pivot member secured to thelower ends of said support members whereby said panel is rotatable aboutsaid pivot member along a horizontal axis through an arc ofsubstantially 90 to lie coplanar with the floor and ceiling and beshifted transversely.

4. A movable partition as set forth in claim 3 wherein said sideportions have means for interlocking engagement with the middle portionof said panel.

5. A movable partition as set forth in claim 4 wherein said sideportions have downwardly depending positioning ins for interlockingengagement with corresponding receptacles on the floor to preventtransverse movement of said panel.

6. A movable partition adapted for vertical positioning between thefloor and ceiling of a room comprising: a panel having side portionshingedly connected to a middle portion, said middle portion being ofless width than the distance between the side walls of a room; and meansfor suspending said panel comprising: a pivot member extending laterallythrough said middle portion of said panel; vertically extending T-barsupport members; and transversely extending laterally spaced channelspositioned in a ceiling with the upper ends of the T-bar membersnormally disposed to and slidably received within said channels and withthe free ends of said pivot member journalled in the lower ends of theT-bar members whereby the panel is rotatable about said pivot memberalong a horizontal axis to provide a clearance between the floor andceiling so that said panel may be shifted transversely within the room.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,353,502 Weismantel Sept 21, 1920 2,863,181 flesephson Dec. 9, 19582,941,794 Geddes June 21, 1960' FOREIGN PATENTS 89,940 Austria 19221,055,464 France 1953

1. A MOVABLE PARTITION COMPRISING: A PANEL; AND MEANS FOR SUSPENDINGSAID PANEL COMPRISING: A LATERALLY EXTENDING PIVOT MEMBER SECURED TOSAID PANEL; VERTICAL EXTENDING SUPPORT MEMBERS, AND TRANSVERSELYEXTENDING LATERALLY SPACED CHANNELS POSITIONED IN A CEILING WITH THEUPPER ENDS OF THE VERTICALLY EXTENDING SUPPORT MEMBERS NORMALLY DISPOSEDTO AND SLIDABLY RECEIVED WITHIN